What to Wear to Henley Royal Regatta?

From the Merve Bayindir atelier, a guide to dressing for the regatta at Henley-on-Thames, from the Stewards’ Enclosure code to five hand-made pieces for the riverbank.

Few events dress for summer quite like Henley. Held on a straight mile of the Thames at Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, the Royal Regatta is the best-known rowing event in the world and a fixture of the English social season, where striped club blazers, linen and riverside hats are as much part of the picture as the racing itself. The 2026 regatta runs from Tuesday 30 June to Sunday 5 July, and this year it draws to a close with the finals on Regatta Sunday, the busiest and most dressed day along the towpath. What follows is a guide to the regatta, written from the atelier, with five pieces for the riverbank.

The Stewards’ Enclosure dress code

The Stewards’ Enclosure holds one of the strictest dress codes in British sport, and it is upheld in earnest. Ladies are asked to wear dresses or skirts with a hemline below the knee, or a jacket or blazer with trousers or a trouser suit. Hats are not compulsory, yet it is customary to wear one, and fascinators, Panamas and boaters are all welcome. Shorts, jeans, leggings and trainers are not permitted. Gentlemen wear a lounge suit, or a jacket or blazer with flannels, together with a tie or cravat. The Regatta Enclosure, open to the public, keeps a more relaxed garden-party feel, though smart summer dress is still expected. In practice, the race headwear that suits Ascot or a garden party sits just as well on the riverbank.

The Henley look

Henley dresses in the language of the river: navy and white, cream, powder blue and soft neutrals, worn with linen and light tailoring. The boater is the signature shape, a nod to the rowing heritage that runs through the day, while wide-brim straw and refined headpieces carry the smarter end of the enclosure. Because the finals on Regatta Sunday are the most dressed of the week, this is the day to lean into a considered hat rather than a casual one.

The boater is the note that ties a Henley look together, worn with the quiet confidence the river asks for.

What to wear: five Merve Bayindir pieces for Henley

The five below are finished by hand in London. Four are wide-brim straw boaters, the shape most at home on the Thames, with one sculpted hatinator for anyone dressing for the Stewards’ Enclosure. Prices include UK VAT.

Brisa  ·  £325

A natural straw boater finished with a caramel silk band printed in ivory blossom and a small embroidered flower at the centre. This is the garden-party note of the group, warm and softly romantic, and a natural fit for the riverbank. Wear it with cream, mocha and light linen.

Tarin  ·  £325

A composed natural boater with an ivory silk band edged in terracotta and an illustrated scarf tie at the side. The clean lines do the work, so pair it with sand and rust linen and a little tan leather, and let the boater frame the face for a long afternoon by the water.

Azuril  ·  £325

A crisp white boater wrapped in a silk band washed with soft blue watercolour tones, finished with a delicate beaded floral at the side. Pale, fresh and quietly romantic, it belongs by the river. Wear it with white cotton or the softest blue and keep jewellery minimal.

Solea  ·  £325

A wide-brim boater with a softly frayed edge and long sheer saffron ties that fall from the back and catch the light as you move. Sun-washed and easy, it is made for a bright day on the towpath, worn with natural linen and soft golden tones.

Frey  ·  £1,500

For the Stewards’ Enclosure, a powder blue hatinator with a sweeping, asymmetric brim and a soft cluster of blue chiffon roses along the crown. It holds the line of the head cleanly and reads as considered without asking for too much around it. A ready-to-ship piece, so it can reach you quickly. Style it with soft grey, blush or tonal blue and delicate silver jewellery.

At a glance

Styling notes for the day

If you are heading for the Stewards’ Enclosure, hemlines are the detail to plan around: dresses and skirts should sit below the knee, and it is worth checking that they still do when seated. Trainers, shorts and jeans are not permitted. Underfoot, the towpath and lawns are uneven, so wedges or block heels are wiser than a fine stiletto for a day spent moving between the grandstand, the bars and the water’s edge. It can be a few degrees cooler on the river, so carry a light wrap or blazer. Keep jewellery quiet and let the boater or headpiece lead.

Ordering, and what to expect

Our boaters are made to order in the London atelier, part of a deliberate, low-waste way of working, so allowing time before your visit is wise. When the date is close, our ready to ship pieces, Frey among them, are dispatched within the next working day. Every order arrives in a custom box, with worldwide DHL Express shipping included.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dress code at Henley Royal Regatta?

In the Stewards’ Enclosure, ladies wear dresses or skirts with a hemline below the knee, or a jacket or blazer with trousers or a trouser suit, and gentlemen wear a lounge suit or a blazer with flannels and a tie or cravat. The Regatta Enclosure is more relaxed, though smart summer dress is still expected.

Do you have to wear a hat at Henley?

No, hats are not compulsory, but it is customary to wear one in the Stewards’ Enclosure. Boaters, wide-brim hats and fascinators are all welcome, and most guests wear headwear on the smarter days.

Can I wear a fascinator at Henley?

Yes. Fascinators, hatinators and Panamas are all welcome in the Stewards’ Enclosure, and a neat headpiece is a considerate choice in a busy grandstand.

When is Henley Royal Regatta 2026?

The 2026 regatta runs from Tuesday 30 June to Sunday 5 July at Henley-on-Thames, closing with the finals on Regatta Sunday.

How long should my dress be?

For the Stewards’ Enclosure, dresses and skirts should have a hemline below the knee. A midi or maxi length is the safest choice, as it stays within the code even when seated.

Find your Henley hat

Every piece above is designed and hand-made in our London atelier by Merve Bayindir, a member of the British Fashion Council with selections in the Royal Ascot Style Guide. Browse our full range of hats and hatinators, or begin with our Summer Casual Headwear for the boater shapes that belong on the river.

Sources

Henley Royal Regatta, official website